First, you are not 3rd tier. There is no such thing. Statalist was
started for all users. Some, longer in the tooth, may have been around
longer, but there is no ladder to climb. Please feel free to ask any
question you want. Sometimes you will get an answer sometimes you won't.
Some people who answer will also have this yearning to have you learn more
and want to teach you how to answer other questions by
yourself--education, teaching a man to fish, etc.--and they may add
comments about Stata Help and archives etc. Take them for what they are
worth. Usually they are offered in good spirit. Sometimes it may seem a
bit gruff. I am sure this is not the first time in your life you have
heard a gruff remark. Surely you have met teachers with different teaching
styles. Even textbooks have different styles. The ones I dislike are the
ones who seem to be authored by individuals who feel they have to prove
how smart they are. That's life. But please keep the questions
coming--this list is for us, we learn from the questions and the answers
given. Don't worry too much about pontifications such as this.